Left to fall derelict: the €2.5m shelter for abused women

Suaimhneas building unused for five years because of a dispute between county council and charity board is declared derelict

A shelter for abused women that cost Irish taxpayers almost 2.5m to develop has gone unused for five years and is so vandalised that a local authority has declared it derelict.

Not one woman has stayed in the Suaimhneas building in Wicklow town, which was supposed to open in 2004, because of a dispute between the county council and the charity set up to run it. The centre, just off Wicklow's main street, was established five years ago with the help of a grant from the Department of the Environment. It was to provide sheltered accommodation for women from a refuge in Bray and other victims of domestic abuse. It was supposed to be run by local social workers, but has never opened despite the initial taxpayers' investment.

Wicklow town council last week added the building to its derelict sites register which would allow it to charge the Suaimhneas directors